Culture
What鈥檚 up in the Windy City?
You鈥檝e probably heard Chicago referred to as the 鈥淲indy City,鈥� but according to local historians, our notoriously gusty weather surprisingly played no role in the development of this nickname. A popular belief is that our nickname came to life over a century ago, given to us by a reporter covering the 1893 World鈥檚 Columbian Exposition, hosted in Chicago. This reporter wrote about how Chicagoans just couldn鈥檛 stop bragging about the town, thus coining the phrase 鈥淲indy City.鈥� Well, the name has stuck with us and is surely relevant in Chicago today. The Chicagoland area has been heralded by social scientists as one of the most successful and vibrant metropolitan areas in the world, and we simply can't help but show off our Chicago pride.
Where to Live
River north is super convenient, lakeview is more neighborhoodlike but farther away, the neighborhoods further west are super fun but a little less convenient if you work downtown.鈥�24
My biggest tip is to think about your commute. Most people take the el (train) or buses to work, so you will want to make sure there are public transit options that will get you where you need to go. Parking in the Loop (business district) is very limited. 鈥�17
- Gold Coast 鈥� With landmark mansions and expensive lakefront condominiums, the Gold Coast has a reputation as one of the wealthiest areas in the city. However, there are also affordable gems to be found here in apartments or condos.
- Streeterville 鈥� You鈥檒l find high rise apartments and all the advantages of being close to the heart of the city and just a few steps from landmarks like Chicago鈥檚 Water Tower, The Magnificent Mile, and the Drake Hotel.
- River North & River West 鈥� Both of these neighborhoods feature loft residences and the best galleries in Chicago. The trendy restaurants and home furnishing boutiques contribute to their cool vibe.
The Loop 鈥� Technically bounded by the elevated (鈥渆l鈥�) tracks, this is the commercial 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 and business heart of Chicago. Increasing numbers of apartments are being聽 developed around the Loop. - Old Town 鈥� With its tree-lined residential streets, this 鈥渘ear north鈥� community is just north of Chicago鈥檚 downtown area. And is home to some of Chicago鈥檚 finest and most expensive housing.
- Lincoln Park 鈥� With more than a mile of public parks, Lincoln Park boasts a world class zoo, golf course and hiking and biking paths close to the lake. The western part of the neighborhood includes more bars, restaurants and boutiques per capita than the rest of the city.
- Wrigleyville & Lakeview 鈥� Home to the Chicago Cubs and historic Wrigley Field, this livable and walkable area with tree鈥搇ined streets, beautifully rehabbed Victorian Greystones, two- and three-flat buildings, and multi-unit condos. The many bars and restaurants contribute to a vibrant nightlife and hometown spirit.
- Ravenswood 鈥� Popular for its affordable homes, Ravenswood has experienced a renaissance and has mass transit that easily connects to the Loop.
- Bucktown & Wicker Park 鈥� Housing runs the gamut from beautifully renovated townhomes to inexpensive, spacious lofts. The area features galleries, cafes bookstores, and restaurants ranging from expensive chic to down home and unpretentious.
- West Loop- That area has built a number of modern high-rise apartments and has become really popular with young professionals looking for a more urban feel and walkability. Fulton Market is known for its amazing upscale restaurant scene.
Where should I look?
Try apartment finding agencies, realtors, walk around neighborhoods that interest you, word of mouth, Craigslist or other rental and property web sites.
Apartment Finding Services include Chicago Apartment Finders chicagoapartmentfinders.com; Apartment People apartmentpeople.com; The Apartment Source theapartmentsource.com; RelocationCentral by Cort (formerly Relcon Apartment Finders) relocationcentral.com/Chicago- apartments.html; and Homestead Group thehomesteadgroup.com.
Many rental properties are privately owned condos, so looking on a site like Zillow or working with a real estate agent (which is free to renters) is helpful in navigating these types of properties.
Getting Around
You don鈥檛 need a car, but don鈥檛 be afraid to bring a car. Chicago is a surprisingly drivable city. Traffic isn鈥檛 too bad, and parking isn鈥檛 much of a headache. You will need to learn how to parallel park though. 鈥�20
There are very few areas of Chicago that can鈥檛 be reached by public transportation. Visit transitchicago.com for schedules, detailed maps and an online trip planner.
- The 鈥渆l鈥� 鈥� The 鈥渆l鈥� is an elevated and underground rail system that covers the city and a bit beyond. It鈥檚 easy and safe to use. Please visit ventrachicago.com for further
- Buses 鈥� Where the 鈥渆l鈥� doesn鈥檛 reach, you鈥檒l almost certainly find a bus that will take you to your desired location. Take a look at transitchicago.com for schedules.
- Metra 鈥� Need to get out to the suburbs? Check metra.com and you鈥檒l likely find that
- The Metra suburban commuter trains, metra.com, can get you to the suburbs, and there鈥檚 a suburban bus service operated by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
Things To Do
Read Eater to see what is new in Chicago! The Infatuation is great for restaurant reviews.
- Nightlife 鈥� Unwind after a long week (or day) at Cubby Bear, The Drawing Room, Matisse, Underground, Y Bar, Half Acre Beer Co, Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Revolution Brewing, Scofflaw
- Parks 鈥揈njoy the outdoors or join in beachfront activities North Avenue Beach at North Avenue at Lake Michigan; Oak Street Beach at Oak Street at Lake Michigan; Lincoln Park Zoo at Fullerton and Lincoln Parkway; Millennium Park at Michigan Avenue and Randolph; Grant Park at Michigan Avenue and Madison; and Navy Pier at 600 E. Grand Ave.
- Chicago Sport and Social Club 鈥� A great way to meet new people and get involved in sports, this group organizes sports teams, who are sponsored by bars and other establishments around the city. Learn more at chicagosportandsocialclub.com.
- Professional sports 鈥� Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire and Chicago Wolves, Chicago Sky, Chicago Red Stars
- Museums 鈥� You can explore everything from history and art to astronomy and sea life. Best of all, many institutions offer free days.
- Adler Planetarium (adlerplanetarium.org)
- The Art Institute of Chicago (artic.edu/aic)
- Chicago Historical Society (chicagohistory.org)
- The Field Museum (fieldmuseum.org)
- Museum of Contemporary Art (mcachicago.org)
- Shedd Aquarium (sheddaquarium.org)
- Museum of Science & Industry (msichicago.org)
- Live music 鈥� You鈥檒l find live music throughout the city. The Reader and metromix. chicagotribune.com have listings.
- House of Blues (hob.com)
- Park West (parkwestchicago.com)
- The Metro (metrochicago.com)
- Riviera Theatre (rivieratheatre.com)
- Allstate Arena (allstatearena.com)
- United Center (unitedcenter.com)
- Ravinia Outdoor Venue (ravinia.org)
- Movies 鈥� From national releases to art house films, there鈥檚 always a lot to choose from.
- City North: Brew & View at the Vic, Facets Cinematheque (art house films), Landmark鈥檚 Century Centre, Music Box (art house films), Pipers Alley, 3 Penny, Village, Webster Place
- Downtown: Esquire, Gene Siskel Film Center (School of the Art Institute), Navy Pier (Omnimax), River East 21
